Bureau Report
LAHORE : University of Management and Technology (UMT) Chairman and President Ibrahim Hasan Murad has offered the Punjab government free access to UMT’s advanced AI tutoring and career-guidance technology, enabling students and graduates across the province to get 24/7 educational support and counselling. The offer could be extended to other universities.
Speaking at UMT’s 29th Convocation, Murad said 64% of UMT students receive scholarships, with the ILM Scholarship Fund reaching Rs20 billion. UMT’s contribution under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme for 920 students is Rs1.13 billion. He announced an additional Rs100 million scholarship for Balochistan students, after providing Rs572 million over the last ten years.
The convocation, held in four sessions, awarded degrees to 4,363 graduates — 3,570 bachelor’s, 21 master’s, 723 MS/MPhil, and 49 PhD — along with 62 gold and 68 silver medals, 16 Academic Excellence Gold Awards, 13 Certificates of Excellence, 5 Certificates of Merit, and 6 Research Publication Awards.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said perceptions of hatred against Punjab in Balochistan are false, stressing inter-provincial affection. He said terrorism has no religion or province, and Article 5 requires loyalty to the state. He lauded Punjab’s NFC Award solidarity and said violence and development cannot coexist. He announced a ten-year livelihood programme per district, interest-free youth loans with Akhuwat and NRSP, and foreign study opportunities at Harvard and Oxford.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said investment in youth education is vital for Pakistan’s future.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat called education the greatest equalizer and said the government is bridging public-private gaps.
Punjab CM’s Adviser on AI Ali Dar said Punjab AI Vision 2029 will launch in November, with an AI-equipped delivery unit and a special AI fellowship with UMT.
